Container for projectile

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a container for projectiles conveyed simultaneously with a container for modular charges using the same transfer system to load a weapon.  
     The container comprises a rigid tubular body equipped with a pick-up interface for the transfer system and means to block the projectile in said container. The interface is constituted by a crown placed at the end of the body, protruding with respect to an external surface of the body. The blocking means are constituted by retractable catches placed on the inner wall of the body, for example a set of catches designed to come into contact with the projectile base and a set of catches designed to be applied to the projectile nose cone.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The technical scope of the present invention is that of projectile containers.

[0002] To ensure the transportation of a piece of ammunition constituted by a projectile and a propellant charge in module form, that is to say blacks of agglomerated propellant powder, these are placed in suitable packing. At present, loading is carried out by manipulating the projectile and the caseless blocks over very short distances. Thus, a system to feed a cannon with ammunition constituted by projectiles and propellant charge modules taken from a magazine is known. This system, described in patent FR-A-2 764 055 notably comprises a magazine containing modules placed in the immediate proximity of the cannon and transferred by means of a pincer onto a loading tray then carefully pushed into the cannon chamber. An analogous system is used to firstly pick up the projectiles in combination with the system used to pick up the modules. However, when the projectiles and modules have to be transferred over a wide distance from the place of storage of the weapon, such a system cannot be used. Moreover, because of the differences in shape and mass of the projectile and the charges, separate and independent means have always been used to convey the projectiles and modules. Additionally, the conveyance of these elements must be reliable and safe whilst able to provide a suitable rate of fire.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The aim of the present invention is to propose means to convey the projectiles whilst providing a high level of safety between the storage place and the weapon loading position.

[0004] A further aim of the invention is to allow the projectiles and modular charges to be conveyed by the same conveyance system.

[0005] The invention thus relates to a container for projectiles conveyed simultaneously with a container for modular charges using the same transfer system to load a weapon, wherein it comprises a rigid tubular body equipped with a pick-up interface for the transfer system and means to block the projectile in said container.

[0006] According to one embodiment, the interface is constituted by a crown protruding with respect to an external surface of the body and placed at one end of the body.

[0007] According to another embodiment, the blocking means are constituted by retractable catches placed on the inner wall of the body.

[0008] The container comprises a set of catches designed to come into contact with the projectile base and a set of catches designed to be applied to the projectile nose cone.

[0009] Advantageously, the catches can be retracted by rotation, for example into housings made in the thickness of the body around hinge pins fixed in said housing.

[0010] According to yet another embodiment, the container incorporates three catches pressing on the projectile base and three batches pressing on the projectile nose cone.

[0011] According to yet another embodiment, the body is metallic and comprises a longitudinal slit to ensure the passage of impulsion means for the transfer system.

[0012] According to yet another embodiment, the container comprises a marking element to ensure its placing.

[0013] One advantage of the present invention lies in that all along the transfer operation for the projectile from the replenishment area to the weapon loading position the projectile is protected and not subject to shocks.

[0014] Another advantage lies in the standardization of the transfer means both for the projectile and the propellant charge since the same interfaces can be provided on the containers.

[0015] Yet another advantage of the present invention lies in the evolutivity of these containers as the weapon system is always able to use them since a modification of the projectile does not modify the functionality of the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description given hereafter by way of illustration and in reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0017]FIG. 1 represents a schematic view of the container according to the invention,

[0018]FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section of the container, and

[0019]FIG. 3 is a cross section showing the blocking means for the projectile.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] The projectile container is intended to be integrated in a transfer system from a magazine to a weapon implementing this type of charge. It is understood that when this distance is great, any deterioration to the projectiles must be avoided as must any falls or shocks. Taking up the container by gripping means must not cause any interference to the projectiles.

[0021]FIG. 1 shows a container 1 in the form of a tubular body 2 open at both ends. This body must be made of a material that is rigid enough to be able to withstand the shocks to which it is subjected. It may be made, for example, of metal. The body 2 is provided with a slit 11 along one of its generating lines that allows access to the inside over a given length. The body incorporates a crown 4 at one of its ends on which the gripping and manipulation means of the transfer system (not shown) will act to carry and block the container during its transportation. Thus, the container 1 may be transferred from a first storage magazine to an intermediate magazine by means of a transfer chain, then from the intermediate magazine to a loading drum in which it may be immobilized to ensure the transfer of the projectile into the weapon chamber. We can see that during all these transfer and handling operations, it is essential for the projectile to be protected and removed from any direct action.

[0022] The container 1 may additionally incorporate an electromagnetic circuit 12 allowing its contents to be recognized, that is to say the type of projectile, data to be memorized even in the event of an electrical power cut, and thus the ammunition configuration of the feeding system be recognized at any moment and in particular when switching on. The data may be read at certain stages in the transfer of the container using a reader implanted according to the needs of the ammunition management system. Upon arrival in one area, for example the replenishment area, the reader emits signals in the form of a low power electromagnetic wave to the circuit 12. This wave gives enough power to the circuit 12 to emit the code stored in its non-volatile memory or to delete it and record a new code. This code is naturally peculiar to each loaded projectile and is in the form of a 3 or 4 bit binary code. This type of circuit incorporating a chip is well known and does not require further explanation.

[0023] The container according to the invention allows a projectile to be supported and immobilized in a failsafe manner in whatever position in space and during all their conveyance or hoisting phases and the catches to be released reliably and simply, and provides insulation with respect to external nominal and/or accidental aggressions. Even in the event of inadvertent ignition, the unwanted effects are directed along the longitudinal axis of the container.

[0024]FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the container 1 in which a projectile 3 is installed. In its base, the body 2 is provided, in the plane of the Figure, with housings 7 only one of which may be seen in the section view and in its upper part with housings 8 only one of which also may be seen in the Figure. The housings 7 and 8 are made in the thickness of the body wall and open inwards. The housings 7 receive the catches 5 intended to be applied to the base of the projectile 3. These catches 5 are retractable and are easily pressed back in a single direction into their housings so as to allow the projectile to pass. To this end, the catches 5 are articulated around a hinge pin 9 fastened onto the body 2. Similarly, the housings 8 are intended to receive the catches 6 that are applied onto the nose cone of the projectile 3. The surface of the catches 6 opposite the nose cone may be shaped to follow the external shape of the nose cone. The catches 6 are retractable and press back into their housing 8 to allow the projectile to be extracted. So as to keep the projectile 3 in the container, the catches 6 are locked in their deployed position. These locking means are constituted by cams and are subject to the action of manoeuvring means ensuring their retraction when the projectile is being introduced into or removed from the container. The manoeuvring means are activated solely at the container replenishment and unloading posts. During conveyance, the catches are held in a failsafe manner by an internal device in the container.

[0025]FIG. 3 shows a cross section made level with the catches 5 and we can see the arrangement of three catches evenly spaced over a diameter of the body, for example at 60°.

[0026] The operation of a container-aided transfer system according to the invention is carried out as follows. The empty container 1 is brought into the replenishment area (not shown) so as to have a projectile inserted either manually or automatically. The catches 6 are released and the projectile is introduced until reaching the end near the catches 5 which are automatically pressed down. When the projectile has passed the housing 7 and has partly pressed down the catches 6 with its nose cone, the catches 5 resume their retention position and the projectile comes to press on then by a displacement in the opposite direction to that of its introduction. Then the catches 6 are locked and the container can be taken up by the transfer system. Unlocking and locking the catches 6 is carried out either automatically by means integral with the magazine or manually by the crew. We can see that however the container is displaced, the projectile is protected and immobilized.

[0027] The container is then taken up by the transfer system from the transfer area to the loading position where the projectile maybe removed from the container. To this end, the locking means for the catches 6 are unlocked and the projectile is taken over by the pusher, a booster for example, passing through the slit 11 and exerting a thrust to press back the catches 6 and introduce the projectile using a known process into the weapon chamber. After this loading phase, the empty container is brought back by the transfer system to the replenishment area to be filled once again by a projectile. The circuit 12 is once again incremented to identify the projectile introduced and a new cycle commences. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A container for projectiles conveyed simultaneously with a container for modular charges using the same transfer system to load a weapon, wherein it comprises a rigid tubular body equipped with a pick-up interface for said transfer system and means to block said projectile in said container.
 2. A container according to claim 1, wherein said interface is constituted by a crown protruding with respect to an external surface of said body.
 3. A container according to claim 1, wherein said crown is placed at one end of said body.
 4. A container according to claim 3, wherein said blocking means are constituted by retractable catches placed on the inner wall of said body.
 5. A container according to claim 4, wherein it comprises a set of catches designed to come into contact with said projectile base and a set of catches designed to be applied to the projectile nose cone.
 6. A container according to claim 5, wherein said catches are retracted by rotation.
 7. A container according to claim 5, wherein said catches are retracted into housings made in the thickness of said body around hinge pins fixed in said housing.
 8. A container according to claim 4, wherein it incorporates three catches pressing on the projectile base and three catches pressing on the projectile nose cone.
 9. A container according to claim 1, wherein said body is metallic and comprises a longitudinal slit to ensure the passage of impulsion means for said transfer system.
 10. A container according to claim 9, wherein it comprises a marking element to ensure its placing. 